Sufi Muslim urges ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir

An expert on violent extremism has urged the government to ban Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Haras Rafiq, co-founder and executive director of the Sufi Muslim Council, said the radical group was increasingly targeting younger people and was becoming stronger.

"When Tony Blair was Prime Minister, he said he was going to proscribe them, so they undertook a huge campaign to repackage themselves. But it was all spin," claimed Mr Rafiq.

He said the group was now focusing on recruiting 15- to 17-year-olds. "They are doing this through football tournaments, meetings at restaurants and giving teenagers jobs at their businesses. They then indoctrinate them."